Domingo 'thrilled' about his return visit

Famed tenor planning 'a different repertoire this time around.'

By Deborah Martindlmartin@express-news.net

Updated 7:17 am, Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Photo: JERRY LARA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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World renowned tenor Placido Domingo smiles after singing the National Anthem at the start of the San Antonio Spurs parade down the Riverwalk in celebration of their fourth NBA Championship title on Sunday, June, 17, 2007. ( JERRY LARA STAFF )

World renowned tenor Placido Domingo smiles after singing the National Anthem at the start of the San Antonio Spurs parade down the Riverwalk in celebration of their fourth NBA Championship title on Sunday,

Plácid Domingo, 70, says he still has "much to accomplish." COURTESY PHOTO

Plácid Domingo, 70, says he still has "much to accomplish." COURTESY PHOTO

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FILE--The Three Tenors are shown, from left, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti in concert at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa in this April 18, 1999 file photo. The sound of opera, not bone-crunching football tackles, will fill the air at the Cleveland Browns Stadium when the Three Tenors take the stage on June 25, 2000 with the Cleveland Opera Orchestra.(AP Photo/Grant Leversha).

FILE--The Three Tenors are shown, from left, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti in concert at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa in this April 18, 1999 file photo. The sound of

British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christopher Meyer, left, accompanied by his wife Lady Catherine Meyer, second from left, hosted the honors for the renowned tenor, Placido Domingo, right,with his wife Marta Ornelas, second from right, as he received an honorary knighthood during a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, Monday, Oct. 14, 2002.. .

British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christopher Meyer, left, accompanied by his wife Lady Catherine Meyer, second from left, hosted the honors for the renowned tenor, Placido Domingo, right,with his

** FILE ** Placido Domingo sings Rodrigo's aria "O, souverain, o juge" from Jules Massenet's Le Cid Act III during a concert in a Tokyo file photo from Dec. 8, 2004. Domingo will sing a portion of Richard Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelungen" in April, part of one-day appearance on the stage of Copenhagen's new opera house, the royal theater said.

**FILE**Placido Domingo speaks during a press conference in Vienna, on Jan. 5, 2006. Domingo has canceled eight performances at New York's Metropolitan Opera through March 2 because of tracheitis.

**FILE**Placido Domingo speaks during a press conference in Vienna, on Jan. 5, 2006. Domingo has canceled eight performances at New York's Metropolitan Opera through March 2 because of tracheitis.

Photo: RONALD ZAK, AP

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Tenor Placido Domingo performs during the final of the soccer World Cup between Italy and France in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Sunday, July 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) ** MOBILE/PDA USAGE OUT **

Tenor Placido Domingo performs during the final of the soccer World Cup between Italy and France in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Sunday, July 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) ** MOBILE/PDA USAGE OUT **

Photo: LUCA BRUNO, AP

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Opera singer Placido Domingo answers a reporter's question at Chatelet Theater in Paris, Friday Feb. 16, 2007. Canadian film composer and music conductor Howard Shore is writing an opera commissioned by Theatre du Chatelet in Paris and Los Angeles Opera, libretto by David Henry Hwang, based on David Cronenberg's film The Fly and directed by Cronenberg.

Opera singer Placido Domingo answers a reporter's question at Chatelet Theater in Paris, Friday Feb. 16, 2007. Canadian film composer and music conductor Howard Shore is writing an opera commissioned by

Placido Domingo, second from left, sings the national anthem during the San Antonio Spurs' river parade, celebrating winning the NBA Basketball Championship, in San Antonio, Sunday, June 17, 2007.

Placido Domingo, second from left, sings the national anthem during the San Antonio Spurs' river parade, celebrating winning the NBA Basketball Championship, in San Antonio, Sunday, June 17, 2007.

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Placido Domingo sings the U.S. national anthem for the San Antonio Spurs NBA basketball Championship Parade down the river walk in San Antonio, Texas, June 17, 2007. REUTERS/Joe Mitchell (UNITED STATES)

Placido Domingo sings the U.S. national anthem for the San Antonio Spurs NBA basketball Championship Parade down the river walk in San Antonio, Texas, June 17, 2007. REUTERS/Joe Mitchell (UNITED STATES)

Opera tenor Placido Domingo, left, chats with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, right, during Harvard University's 360th commencement exercises, on the school's campus, in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, May 26, 2011. Domingo received and honorary Doctor of Music degree, while Ginsburg received an honorary Doctor of Law degree during the ceremonies.

Opera tenor Placido Domingo, left, kisses the hand of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, center, as Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, right, looks on during Harvard University's 360th commencement exercises, on the school's campus, in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, May 26, 2011. Domingo kissed Ginsburg's hand after singing a portion of her citation. Domingo received and honorary Doctor of Music degree, while Ginsburg and Sirleaf both received honorary Doctor of Law degrees during the ceremonies.

Opera tenor Placido Domingo, right, sings to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, left, as Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, center, looks on during Harvard University's 360th commencement exercises, on the school's campus, in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, May 26, 2011. Domingo sang a portion of Ginsburg's citation. Domingo received and honorary Doctor of Music degree, while Ginsburg and Sirleaf both received an honorary Doctor of Law degrees during the ceremonies.

Placido Domingo poses with his award for Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year backstage at the 11th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Placido Domingo poses with his award for Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year backstage at the 11th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Photo: Chris Pizzello, STF

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Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa Jr., left, presents the award for best classic album to Placido Domingo at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year event honoring Placido Domingo on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in Las Vegas.

Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa Jr., left, presents the award for best classic album to Placido Domingo at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year event honoring Placido Domingo on

Placido Damingo is seen onstage at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year event in his honor on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in Las Vegas.

Placido Damingo is seen onstage at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year event in his honor on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in Las Vegas.

Photo: AP

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Legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo in title role as Vidal Hernando performs a scene during a rehearsal on July 04,2008 for the premiere of Spanish opera "Luisa Fernanda" to open July 07 at the Vienna's Theater an der Wien. AFP PHOTO/Samuel Kubani

Legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo in title role as Vidal Hernando performs a scene during a rehearsal on July 04,2008 for the premiere of Spanish opera "Luisa Fernanda" to open July 07 at the Vienna's

World renowned tenor Placido Domingo displays the four for four titles as the San Antonio Spurs their latest NBA Championship title on Sunday, June, 17, 2007. Domingo, in the city for a concert this week, sang the National Anthem. ( JERRY LARA STAFF )

World renowned tenor Placido Domingo displays the four for four titles as the San Antonio Spurs their latest NBA Championship title on Sunday, June, 17, 2007. Domingo, in the city for a concert this week, sang

METRO; PLACIDO DOMINGO JMS; 06/17/07; Opera great Placido Domingo talks about his upcoming performance at the Alamodome Tuesday, and about getting to sing the National Anthem for the Spurs NBA Championship celebration Riverwalk parade during his Sunday afternoon press conference in San Antonio June 17, 2007. Joining Domingo at the Sunday was Mariachi Los Galleros who are accompanying the maestro for his San Antonio presentations. ( PHOTO BY J. MICHAEL SHORT / SPECIAL )

METRO; PLACIDO DOMINGO JMS; 06/17/07; Opera great Placido Domingo talks about his upcoming performance at the Alamodome Tuesday, and about getting to sing the National Anthem for the Spurs NBA Championship

METRO; PLACIDO DOMINGO JMS; 06/17/07; Opera great Placido Domingo talks about his upcoming performance at the Alamodome Tuesday, and about getting to sing the National Anthem for the Spurs NBA Championship celebration Riverwalk parade during his Sunday afternoon press conference at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio June 17, 2007. ( PHOTO BY J. MICHAEL SHORT / SPECIAL )

METRO; PLACIDO DOMINGO JMS; 06/17/07; Opera great Placido Domingo talks about his upcoming performance at the Alamodome Tuesday, and about getting to sing the National Anthem for the Spurs NBA Championship

(For 210SA) Placido Domingo sings at the Spurs victory parade in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, June 17, 2007. (ALICIA WAGNER CALZADA/ SPECIAL TO 210SA)

(For 210SA) Placido Domingo sings at the Spurs victory parade in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, June 17, 2007. (ALICIA WAGNER CALZADA/ SPECIAL TO 210SA)

Photo: ALICIA WAGNER CALZADA, SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

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Lisbon, PORTUGAL: Spanish tenor Placido Domingo (L) holds the hand of Argentine soprano Virginia Tola (R) just before the start of his concert at Pavilhao Atlantico in Lisbon 21 April 2007 as he announces its cancellation due to a persistent cough. AFP PHOTO/ FRANCISCO LEONG

Lisbon, PORTUGAL: Spanish tenor Placido Domingo (L) holds the hand of Argentine soprano Virginia Tola (R) just before the start of his concert at Pavilhao Atlantico in Lisbon 21 April 2007 as he announces its

This week's Plácido Domingo concert in San Antonio has been in the works since the last Plácido Domingo concert in San Antonio.

That was four years ago, when Domingo gave a memorable performance at the Alamodome.

“It takes about that long to get into his schedule,” said Mark Richter, artistic director and founder of San Antonio Opera, which presented the 2007 concert and is presenting this one, too. “When you're dealing with the world's most popular voice, it's a lot of work to get into their schedule, even if (the request is made) four years out.”

The last concert wasn't an automatic slam-dunk, Richter recalled. Among other things, tickets sold slowly because there was the potential that a Spurs playoff game would be the same night.

There were no hard feelings about the competition: Domingo arrived in town a few days early and sang the national anthem at the NBA Championship Parade. And the concert was one of the events of 2007.

“People came away saying it was the best concert (they) had seen in their lives,” Richter said.

And that was at the Alamodome. Richter predicts people will have a better experience at the AT&T Center: “The seats are much nicer, and acoustics are much better.”

“I am very happy to return to San Antonio,” he said in an email interview. “Time really flies, but I am thrilled to return to this wonderfully warm public.”

The 70-year-old recently stepped down as general director of the Washington National Opera, though he will still sing and conduct there from time to time and will continue to work with the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, which he founded to help singers and other opera professionals develop their abilities.

“I don't think I will ever retire completely,” he said. “Aside from singing, I am also conducting, recording and planning not only for the Los Angeles Opera and the Young Artist programs in Los Angeles, Washington and Valencia, but I still have much to accomplish with my International Voice Competition Operalia, which this year celebrates its 19th edition in Moscow.”

Here's what else he had to say:

Q: Please tell us about the program you have planned.

A: I know there are many things that the people will love to hear me sing, but I have taken care of bringing a bit of a different repertoire this time around. I will always incorporate a little bit of opera because San Antonio has a very large and educated opera audience, but I will also bring a lot of Spanish and Latin music from my heart.

A: Sometimes and in some places, as many as 10 or 14 years can elapse before I am able to return, as was the case earlier this year with Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I had not been in over 12 years, and later in the month, Toronto, Canada, from where I have also been absent for a little over 10 years. When the San Antonio Opera invited me again, this time to the AT&T Center, I was immediately excited. I am only sorry I will not be able to celebrate with the Spurs this time around.

Q: Are there still roles that you haven't played but would like to?

A: I have lately often said that I like to play roles that adapt better to my age and look. It makes more sense to play a king, a father or a god than to pretend to play a young lover or a prince. Simon Boccanegra and Rigoletto certainly fall into this category. In December, I shall be singing the role of Neptune in the Metropolitan Opera's production of the Baroque pastiche opera “The Enchanted Island.” Furthermore, I am preparing the role of the Monk Athanaël in Jules Massenet's “Thaïs.” “La Traviata's” Germont and Miller in “Luisa Miller” have also crossed my mind.

Q: You performed in Tokyo just a month after the earthquake and tsunami. What was that experience like? What role can music play in the wake of such devastation?

A: My trip to Japan was filled with emotion and scares. The week of April 10, Japan sustained hundreds of other smaller, many unperceivable earthquakes, but three of them were stronger than 6.5 on the Richter scale. My wife, Marta, our granddaughter Victoria and I were there during these strong quakes, and I can only say that it is incredibly frightening and tremendously humbling to be at the mercy of nature's wrath. We nonetheless stayed in Japan for the two concerts I went to perform on April 10 and 13. These were very emotional.

Music can inspire, and I hope it at least gave the audience a chance to forget about the tragedies for just some moments. If these were at all capable of helping them begin the healing process, I am honored to have been there.